Man charged in White House correspondents’ dinner attack pleads not guilty

Cole Tomas Allen pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged attack at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Allen is accused of attempting to kill President Donald Trump and firing a shotgun at a Secret Service officer during the April 25, 2026 event. He appeared in federal court in Washington, D.C., for his arraignment, where his attorney entered the plea on his behalf. Allen's defense team is seeking to disqualify top Justice Department officials, including Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, from prosecuting the case due to their presence at the dinner, arguing it creates a conflict of interest. The judge is considering the recusal request.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has pleaded not guilty to federal gun charges and attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump. The charges stem from an incident last month at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner held at the Washington Hilton hotel. Prosecutors allege Allen attempted to bypass security, firing a shot at a Secret Service agent who was protected by a bullet-proof vest. Agents apprehended Allen before he could reach the ballroom where the dinner was taking place, prompting the evacuation of the President and other officials. Allen appeared in court on Monday for his arraignment before US District Judge Trevor McFadden.

Cole Allen, 31, has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination of President Trump, assault on a federal officer, and firearms offenses. The alleged incident occurred last month at a White House Correspondents' Dinner, where prosecutors claim Allen fired a shotgun at a Secret Service agent after storming a security checkpoint. Allen's legal team is seeking to disqualify top Department of Justice officials, including US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, from the prosecution due to their presence at the event, citing potential conflicts of interest. The defense argues these officials could be considered victims or witnesses. Allen reportedly traveled to Washington with multiple weapons and booked a room at the hotel where the dinner was held. The judge has requested further elaboration on the scope of the recusal request.

Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect accused of an attempted assassination at a White House press dinner, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The incident occurred on April 25th at the Washington Hilton, where Allen allegedly attempted to breach security and fire a shotgun at a Secret Service agent during the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner. Prosecutors state Allen traveled from California and checked into the hotel before the event. He faces charges including attempted assassination of the president, assault on a federal officer, and firearms offenses. A manifesto attributed to Allen, reportedly sent to family, expressed intentions to target administration officials.

Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner incident, faces a new federal charge of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon. This charge stems from allegations that Allen fired a shotgun at a US Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel on April 25th. The new indictment, which includes three previous charges of attempted assassination, firearm discharge during a crime of violence, and illegal firearm transportation, alleges Allen intended to assassinate Donald Trump and other officials. Federal authorities stated that video evidence supports the claim that Allen shot the agent while attempting to breach security. The US Attorney emphasized the evidence of Allen's intent to assassinate and his travel with ammunition to achieve his goals.

The US Secret Service shot and wounded a gunman near the White House on Monday after he opened fire on agents. Plainclothes agents identified a suspicious individual believed to be armed, and when uniformed officers arrived, the suspect attempted to flee and fired his weapon. Secret Service agents returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was taken to the hospital with a weapon recovered. A child was also injured during the exchange, with investigators believing the suspect was responsible. The Secret Service is investigating whether the gunman was targeting President Trump, though there is no evidence he intended to target Vice President Vance's motorcade. This incident follows a separate alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump last month.

A suspect opened fire on the National Mall near the Washington Monument on Monday afternoon, prompting officers to return fire. The US Secret Service stated the suspect fired after being confronted by law enforcement. A bystander was struck by the suspect's gunfire. The incident occurred around 15th Street and Independence Avenue, and the White House was briefly locked down as a precaution. Vice President J.D. Vance's motorcade had passed through the area shortly before the shooting, but there is no indication it was the target.

Investigators have confirmed that Cole Tomas Allen, the suspect accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, shot a Secret Service agent at the White House Correspondents' Dinner last month. According to US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a pellet from Allen's shotgun was found intertwined with the agent's bulletproof vest, definitively ruling out friendly fire. Pirro stated Allen intended to kill the agent and anyone obstructing his path to the president. The 31-year-old suspect faces charges including attempted assassination, interstate firearm transportation with intent to commit a felony, and firearm discharge during a crime of violence. Allen had traveled from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. for the alleged premeditated act.

US Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that evidence confirms a suspect shot a Secret Service officer during an alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The pellet from the suspect's shotgun was found embedded in the officer's vest. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is accused of running past security at the Washington Hilton hotel and firing a shotgun outside the ballroom where the President and other officials were present. Allen faces federal charges, including attempting to assassinate the president. Prosecutors allege he traveled from California with multiple weapons, intending to commit a mass shooting.

Authorities are investigating whether a suspect identified as Allen, who was armed with multiple weapons, shot a Secret Service officer during an incident at a hotel. Initially, Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche stated it was understood that the suspect fired the shot, but later retracted this, indicating ballistics are still being finalized. Video evidence shows the suspect running through a security checkpoint, and a Secret Service officer firing his weapon. While the suspect fired a shotgun, it remains unclear if he directly shot the officer. Regardless of who fired the shot that hit the officer, prosecutors believe they have sufficient charges to secure a conviction against the suspect.

A man identified as Cole Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Authorities revealed in a new court filing that just minutes before the incident on Saturday night, Allen took a photo of himself in his hotel room at the Washington Hilton, where the event was held. The image reportedly showed him wearing an ammunition bag, a shoulder gun holster, and a sheathed knife. Allen, a 31-year-old from California, was apprehended after attempting to breach security barricades near the ballroom, leading to a shootout with Secret Service agents.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, has been charged with attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump. The charges stem from an incident on Saturday where Allen allegedly shot a US Secret Service agent while attempting to breach security at a press gala attended by Trump in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors stated Allen's intent was to "assassinate the president of the United States" and bring down high-ranking cabinet officials. Allen also faces firearms charges. He appeared in federal court and was ordered detained pending further hearings. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

A Secret Service agent injured during an incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner was not shot by friendly fire, according to President Donald Trump and Secret Service Director Sean Curran. Video footage of the attack, released by federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, shows suspect Cole Tomas Allen, 31, shooting the agent at a security checkpoint as he ran towards the gala. Director Curran stated the agent returned fire five times at point-blank range, but the suspect was not hit and instead fell after injuring his knee. The incident occurred as the suspect attempted to breach security at the event attended by journalists and administration officials.

Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old man from California, appeared in federal court and faces three charges, including attempting to assassinate the US president. The charges stem from an incident Saturday night outside the Hilton hotel where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was held. Allen was apprehended before reaching the event and was found with a shotgun, a pistol, and three knives. Prosecutors stated additional charges are expected as the investigation continues, emphasizing a strong stance against political violence. Allen has no prior criminal record in Los Angeles County.